Methods, systems and apparatus to manage a spatially dynamic display

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed An example apparatus to update a spatially adjustable display disclosed herein includes a display size monitor to acquire an indication of a size of the spatially adjustable display, a service image comparator to compare the indication of the size to a size model, and a source image adjuster to invoke visual configuration adjustments to an output image of the spatially adjustable display based on parameters identified in the size model.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/201,160, titled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE ASPATIALLY DYNAMIC DISPLAY,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/596,323, filed May 16, 2017, titled “METHODS,SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE A SPATIALLY DYNAMIC DISPLAY,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/447,232, filed Jul.30, 2014, titled “METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE A SPATIALLYDYNAMIC DISPLAY.” This patent claims priority to those filing dates forall applicable subject matter and all aforementioned applications arehereby incorporated herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to physically alterable displays, and,more particularly, to methods, systems and apparatus to manage aspatially dynamic display.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, computing devices have become ubiquitous in households,workplaces, commerce, and entertainment venues. Relatively earlycomputing device display technology included teletype machines, andcathode ray tubes. Subsequent advancements in display technologiesincluded liquid crystal displays, light emitting diode displays, andplasma screens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a system to manage a spatiallydynamic display when the display has a maximum viewing area.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of the system of FIG. 1A, in whichthe viewing area has been reduced by a first reduction length.

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of the system of FIGS. 1A and 1B, inwhich the viewing area has been reduced by an additional secondreduction length.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the example system shown in FIGS.1A-1C showing example connectivity to a computing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a dynamic display size manager ofFIGS. 1A-1C and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an example spatial/visual configuration table to providerendering instructions to a spatially dynamic display.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be executed to manage a spatially dynamic displayin a manner consistent with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an example processor platform thatmay execute the instructions of FIG. 5 to implement the example systemof FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Computing devices typically include one or more interface devices toaccommodate input and/or output. In some examples, the computing devicesare designed and/or otherwise provisioned to interact with one or moreusers, in which a visual and/or audio interface device facilitates oneor more functions of a user interface (UI). Example UIs include, but arenot limited to, touchscreen input devices, mouse pointer devices, andvisual display devices to render video information to the user. Examplevisual display devices include, but are not limited to, a cathode raytube (CRT) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquidcrystal display (LCD), in which one or more of the aforementioneddisplay devices may include touch control (e.g., an ability to control amouse cursor of an operating system without a mouse device).

Traditional display devices, including examples disclosed above, includea physically rigid viewing area having a particular screen size (e.g., aset spatial dimension) that is established at the time the displaydevice is manufactured. For example, traditional display devices have adisplay size having a width value, a height value, a total viewable areavalue and/or a diagonal length value. In some examples, the diagonallength value is provided by a manufacturer that indicates a lengthbetween two opposite screen corners, and an aspect ratio indicating aratio of the horizontal length to a vertical length is provided. At thetime of this writing, display devices typically have aspect ratios of4:3, 5:4, 16:10 and 16:9, but example methods, systems and apparatus tomanage a spatially dynamic display are not limited thereto. Whiletraditional display devices, such as those described above, include aspatial dimension with a rigid viewing surface that is established atthe time of manufacture, example methods, systems and apparatusdisclosed herein manage display behavior for physically alterabledisplays that exhibit spatially dynamic properties.

Physically alterable displays that have spatially dynamic properties(sometimes referred to herein as a “dynamic display,” or a “spatiallyadjustable display”) include display devices that have two or moreviewing areas for rendering visual information. In some examples, adynamic display has a first length dimension and a first width dimensionthat results in a first viewable area for a user. However, the dynamicdisplay may be manipulated to change the first length dimension to asecond length dimension, and/or change the first width dimension to asecond width dimension, thereby resulting in a second viewable area fora user. In some examples, the dynamic display is flexible such that theflexible display may wrap around itself in a generally cylindricalshape. In other examples, a portion of the dynamic display that is notviewable (e.g., a portion that is wrapped around itself) may be turnedoff to reduce energy that would otherwise be wasted on that non-viewableportion. In still other examples, the dynamic display is spatiallymodified by one or more folding operations to either increase ordecrease a viewable area for the user.

Example spatially dynamic displays, such as flexible displays and/orfoldable displays, may be used with any type of computing device, suchas desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile telephones, e-readersand/or tablet computing devices. In some examples, the dynamic displayassociated with the computing device has a first viewing area at a firsttime, but the user manipulates (e.g., by rolling the display, by foldingthe display, etc.) the dynamic display at a second time to cause asecond viewing area at a second time. Example methods, systems andapparatus disclosed herein detect such contextual changes to the dynamicdisplay viewing area to manage one or more alternate image outputsignals of the dynamic display device. For example, if the first viewingarea at the first time is larger than the second viewing area at thesecond time (e.g., the user caused a reduction in the viewable area byrolling a portion of the dynamic display device around itself, or byfolding a portion of the dynamic display under itself), then examplemethods, systems and apparatus disclosed herein manage the image outputsignals to the dynamic display device to conform to a displayconfiguration better adapted to the second viewing area.

In some examples, managing the image output signals are dynamicallyadjusted to fit within an available screen area of the dynamic displaydevice in response to physical changes of the screen area. The imageoutput signals associated with a first available screen area may haveicons and text that, in response to a change from a first availablescreen area to a second available screen area, are increased ordecreased in size to better fit to the second available screen area. Inother examples, one or more icons may be associated with a priorityvalue to indicate a relative importance with other icons. In operation,an example icon with a relatively higher priority value will bepreserved for rendering on the dynamic display device when the availablescreen area decreases. One or more icons with relatively lower priorityvalues are removed to accommodate rendering of the icons having therelatively higher value, and a link icon may be rendered to allow accessto the icons associated with the relatively lower priority value. Insome examples, icons having a relatively highest priority value arereferred to herein as primary icons, and icons having a relatively lowerpriority value are referred to herein as secondary icons, tertiaryicons, etc.

FIG. 1A is an example system 100 to manage a spatially dynamic display.In the illustrated example of FIG. 1A, the system 100 includes a centralhousing 102 connected to a spatially dynamic display 104 that can bemanipulated via a screen area adjustment handle 106. The example centralhousing 102 of FIG. 1A is illustrated with a generally cylindrical shapeto allow the example spatially dynamic display 104 to wrap around acentral storage axis 108 for storage. While some of the examplesdisclosed herein include a spatially dynamic display that is flexible,example methods, apparatus, systems and/or articles of manufacturedisclosed herein are not limited thereto. For instance, some examplespatially dynamic displays may be a relatively rigid material having oneor more foldable portions. In some examples, each of the foldableportions are separated and/or otherwise partitioned by a bendable creasethat, when folded by a number of degrees (e.g., 90 degrees, 180 degrees,etc.), causes the aggregate area of the spatially dynamic display todecrease.

Continuing with the example flexible-type spatially dynamic display 104of FIG. 1A, in the event the example screen area adjustment handle 106is pulled in a direction to the right of the example central housing 102along a viewing axis 109, then the example spatially dynamic display 104will unwind from the central storage axis 108 to increase a viewablearea (lengthen). Portions of the example spatially dynamic display 104that are wrapped around the central storage axis 108 are not viewable toa user (e.g., non-visible portions of the spatially dynamic display104), while portions of the example spatially dynamic display 104 thathave been unwound from the central storage axis 108 may be viewed by auser along the viewing axis 109. Storage of the example spatiallydynamic display 104 may occur by winding a shaft (not shown) attached tothe example central storage axis 108 in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection. In some examples, the central storage axis 108 may bemechanically connected to a spring (e.g., a coil spring) to forciblybias the spatially dynamic display 104 toward and around the centralstorage axis 108. The example spring bias causes a force on the examplespatially dynamic display 104 in a direction toward the example centralhousing 102 (i.e., toward the left). In other words, in some examplesthe viewable portion of the example spatially dynamic display 104 alongthe example viewing axis 109 toward the central housing 102 and wraparound the central storage axis 108 when not in use.

The example spatially dynamic display 104 has a maximum length (L_(MAX))that, when reached by pulling the example screen area adjustment handle106 in a rightward direction from the example central housing 102,results in a maximum viewable area of the spatially dynamic display 104.When the example spatially dynamic display 104 is fully extended (e.g.,pulled-out) from the example central housing 102, then a computingdevice communicatively connected to the example spatially dynamicdisplay 104 may render a particular screen configuration based on theavailable area of the dynamic display 104. In some examples, theparticular screen configuration associated with the fully extended(L_(MAX)) spatially dynamic display 104 reveals a maximum number oficons. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1A, the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 renders a maximum of twenty-five (25) icons in columns Athrough E and rows A through E. As described in further detail below,one or more display configuration models may be invoked in response to achange in the available display area of the example spatially dynamicdisplay 104, in which one or more icons may be prioritized to remain inthe remaining viewable area when the dynamic display 104 is retracted bya certain length (e.g., less than the length L_(MAX)).

In some examples, a relatively smaller size of the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 is desired. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1A, thespatially dynamic display includes a first reduction zone 110 and asecond reduction zone 112. If the example spatially dynamic display 104is retracted by a length equal to the example first reduction 110(L_(RED-1)), example methods, systems and/or apparatus disclosed hereindynamically adjust the visual configuration of the spatially dynamicdisplay based on the reduced area caused by the retraction. Similarly,if the example spatially dynamic display 104 is retracted by a lengthequal to the example first reduction 110 and the example secondreduction 112 (L_(RED-2)), example methods, systems and/or apparatusdisclosed herein dynamically adjust the visual configuration of thespatially dynamic display based on the reduced area caused by theretraction, as described in further detail below. While the illustratedexample includes two reduction zones, examples disclosed herein are notlimited thereto. In some examples, the spatially dynamic display 104 mayoperate between any length between the maximum extension (L_(MAX)) and afully closed position, in which the entire spatially dynamic display 104is retracted within the central housing 102.

In the event the example spatially dynamic display 104 is retracted by alength associated with the example first reduction 110, then the exampleicons in columns D and E will not be visible. Example methods, systems,apparatus and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein dynamicallymodify the visual configuration as the spatially dynamic display 104changes in length (e.g., as the spatially dynamic display increases inlength from zero to L_(MAX) and/or as the spatially dynamic displaydecreases in length from L_(MAX) to zero). In the illustrated example ofFIG. 1A, icons associated with “App 2,” “App 20” and “App 25” areassigned with a primary priority 114, “App 6,” “App 12,” “App 14,” “App16,” “App 19,” “App 21” and “App 22” are assigned with a secondarypriority 116, and the remaining icons are assigned with a defaulttertiary priority. Generally speaking, one or more icons assigned with aprimary priority, as compared to a secondary and/or tertiary priority,are indicative of a relatively greater importance to a user of acomputing device, such as applications and/or programs that are usedwith a relatively greater frequency.

Continuing with the example in which the example spatially dynamicdisplay 104 is reduced by a length associated with the first reduction110 (L_(RED_1)), example methods, systems, apparatus and/or articles ofmanufacture disclosed herein adjust the visual configuration of theremaining visible portion(s) of the spatially dynamic display 104 torender icons associated with the primary priority 114. In the event thearea of the spatially dynamic display 104 has remaining space after theicons associated with the primary priority 114 are rendered, iconsassociated with the secondary priority 116 are arranged on the dynamicdisplay 104 for rendering, as shown in FIG. 1B.

In some examples, portions of the spatially dynamic display 104 thathave been retracted to the central housing 102 are powered off. In otherwords, because the example portions of the spatially dynamic display 104stored in the central housing 102 are not visible, the example sourceimage adjustor 306 sends one or more instructions to an example videocontroller to disable such non-visible portions of the spatially dynamicdisplay. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1B, the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 has been reduced in length L₁ (and corresponding area) bythe first reduction 110, and icons associated with the primary priority114 and secondary priority 116 have been rendered at the expense of therelatively lower assigned icons. However, a link button 118, whenselected (e.g., via a touch-screen input, mouse click, etc.), causes oneor more relatively lower priority icons to be displayed.

FIG. 1C illustrates the example system 100 after the example spatiallydynamic display 104 has been retracted by an additional lengthassociated with the example second reduction 112. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 1C, the visual configuration of the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 is modified to render the highest priority icons 114, andthe link button 118, when selected, causes one or more relatively lowerpriority icons to be displayed. As described above, examples disclosedabove include three distinct positions of the spatially dynamic display104, but example methods, systems, apparatus and/or articles ofmanufacture are not limited thereto. In some examples, dynamicmodification of the visual configuration of the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 occurs as it is retracted or extended from the centralhousing 102. Additionally, while the example central housing 102 isshown having a generally cylindrical shape, example methods, systems,apparatus and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein are notlimited thereto. In some examples, the central housing 102 is integratedwith a computing device, such as a mobile telephone, personal computer,etc. In still other examples, the computing device may be integratedwithin the central housing 102. In other examples, the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 changes a display size by one or more folds. In suchexamples, the spatially dynamic display 104 may be a rigid materialrather than a relatively flexible material capable of rolling and/orotherwise winding around itself. The example foldable spatially dynamicdisplay 104 may, when folded at one or more locations, cause the visualconfiguration of the spatially dynamic display 104 to change in themanner disclosed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional detail of the example system 100 to managethe spatially dynamic display 104 of FIGS. 1A-1C when the spatiallydynamic display 104 is constructed of a flexible material to be storedand/or used in one or more rolled/wrapped orientations 200, or when thespatially dynamic display 104 is constructed of a foldable material tobe stored and/or used in one or more fully unfolded, partially folded orcompletely folded orientations 250. In the illustrated example of FIG.2, the central housing 102 is communicatively connected to a computingdevice 202. The example computing device 202 may include, but is notlimited to, a personal computer (e.g., a laptop, a desktop, etc.), apersonal digital assistant, an e-reader, a mobile telephone, etc. Whilethe computing device 202 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2 is shownas a separate entity from the central housing 102, examples disclosedherein are not limited thereto. In some examples, the computing device202 is integrated into the central housing 102, or vice-versa. Theexample computing device 202 of FIG. 2 includes a video input/output(I/O) module 204 to control a visual output of the example spatiallydynamic display 104 and, in some examples, respond to inputs from thespatially dynamic display 104 in the event it includes touch-screencapabilities.

The example video I/O module 204 may be an industry standard video cardcapable of rendering visual output based on inputs from an operatingsystem and/or other inputs. The computing device 202 of FIG. 2 includesa dynamic display size manager 205 that is communicatively connected tothe video I/O module 204 and the central housing 102. In some examples,the dynamic display size manager 205 is communicatively connected to arotary shaft encoder 206 to determine an angular position of the centralstorage axis 108, which is indicative of how much of the spatiallydynamic display 104 is available for viewing. In some examples, therotary shaft encoder 206 is not used and, instead, one or more alternatetechniques of determining the available viewing area are employed. Forexample, the central housing 102 may include a length marker sensor 208that detects one or more delineated length markers 210, such as a firstlength marker 210A and a second length marker 210B attached to theexample spatially dynamic display 104. Any number of length markers 210may be attached (e.g., embedded) to the example spatially dynamicdisplay 104 in a number of linear positions, and the example lengthmarkers 210 may be employed for use with the flexible rolled/wrappedorientation 200 and/or the foldable orientation 250. In some examples, anumber of length markers 210 are embedded in the spatially dynamicdisplay 104 in equally-spaced linear positions along the viewing axis109. In response to the example length marker sensor 208 detecting afirst length marker 210A, the example dynamic display size manager 205may invoke one or more modifications of the visual configuration of theexample spatially dynamic display 104. In particular, detecting thefirst length marker 210A is indicative of a portion of the examplespatially dynamic display 104 that can be viewed by a user. Similarly,in response to the example length marker sensor 208 detecting a secondlength marker 210B, the example dynamic display size manager 205 mayinvoke one or more modifications of the visual configuration tailored tothe alternate viewing area of the example spatially dynamic display 104.

Similarly, the example first length marker 210A and the example secondlength marker of the foldable orientation 250 may provide an indicationof the available screen size to be used and/or otherwise energized forviewing purposes. For example, the first length marker 210A detects whena first fold portion 252 of the foldable spatially dynamic display 104is unfolded or folded. Similarly, the example second length marker 210Bdetects when a second fold portion 254 of the foldable spatially dynamicdisplay 104 is unfolded or folded.

FIG. 3 illustrates additional detail of the example dynamic display sizemanager 205 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the dynamicdisplay size manager 205 includes a display size monitor 302, a sourceimage comparator 304, a source image adjuster 306, a prioritizer 308, alink generator 310 and a configuration model storage 312. In operation,the example display size monitor 302 determines an available viewablescreen area of the example spatially dynamic display 104 by capturingand/or otherwise retrieving screen extraction length information orinformation indicative of which fold portions (e.g., the first foldportion 252, the second fold portion 254) are folded (closed) orunfolded (open). As described above, screen extraction lengthinformation may be determined by information retrieved from the exampleencoder 206, the example length marker sensor 208, or any other sensorindicative of how much available viewing area can be used and/orotherwise consumed by a user of the example system 100. Based on thedetermined available viewing area information captured by the exampledisplay size monitor 302, the example source image comparator 304compares the available viewing area information to the exampleconfiguration model settings storage 312 to determine visualconfiguration instructions to be sent to the example video I/O module204. The example configuration model settings storage 312 may store oneor more configurations settings that differ based on an exposed lengthof the example spatially dynamic display 104.

FIG. 4 is an example spatial/visual configuration table 400 that may bestored in the example configuration model settings storage 312 andaccessed by the example source image comparator 304. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 4, the table 400 includes an exposed length column 402,a primary icon column 404, a primary icon size column 406, a secondaryicon column 408, a secondary icon size column 410, a tertiary iconcolumn 412, a tertiary icon size column 414 and a link button column416. The example prioritizer 308 of FIG. 3 is employed during one ormore configuration sessions (e.g., a user-initiated configuration, afactory-initiated configuration, etc.) to assign each icon with acorresponding primary, secondary, tertiary, or other prioritydesignation. Additionally, the example prioritizer 308 identifies icondisplay priorities associated with a template and/or display model, suchas an example table 400. The exposed length column 402 in theillustrated example of FIG. 4 includes three length values; one thatreflects a full (maximum) viewing potential (e.g., 9.6 inches), one thatreflects a reduction associated with the first reduction 110 (e.g., 6.4inches), and one that reflects a reduction associated with the combinedfirst reduction 110 and the second reduction 112 (e.g., 3.2 inches).Each of these three example display modes may be invoked by the examplesource image adjuster 306 based on a corresponding length marker 210detected by the example length marker sensor 208. While the illustratedexample table 400 of FIG. 4 includes three (3) delineated viewing modes,examples disclosed herein are not limited thereto. In some examples, thesource image adjuster 306 may respond to different degrees ofgranularity in response to changing length values detected by theencoder 206, such as causing image adjustments at increments of 1millimeter, or any other increment value of interest.

If the example display size monitor 302 retrieves an indication that theexample spatially dynamic display 104 is extended 9.6 inches (e.g., amaximum extension for the example spatially dynamic display 104 of FIGS.1A-1C and 2), which is reflected in a first row 420 of FIG. 4, then theexample table 400 includes information indicative of which icons areauthorized for display and corresponding sizes (e.g., size in pixels)for each authorized icon. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, thefirst row 420 indicates that all icons having a primary priority areauthorized to be displayed (see column 404) with an icon dimension of16×16 pixels (see column 406). The example first row 420 also indicatesthat all secondary and tertiary icons are authorized for display havingcorresponding dimensions of 16×16 pixels. In some examples, a linkbutton is unnecessary because the available viewable screen area of thespatially dynamic display 104 is large enough to accommodate all desiredicons. As such, the example link button column 416 indicates a “No”value to prevent a request to include a link button on the dynamicdisplay 104 when the exposed screen length is at a value of 9.6 inches.

If the example display size monitor 302 retrieves and/or otherwisereceives an indication that the example spatially dynamic display 104changes to an alternate extension length, such as from the example fullyextended 9.6 inches to 6.4 inches, then the example source imagecomparator 304 is invoked by the display size monitor 302 to determinecorresponding display parameters. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4,the table includes a second row 422 having information indicative ofwhich icons are authorized for display and corresponding sizes for eachauthorized icon. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the second row422 indicates that all icons having a primary priority are authorized tobe displayed (see column 404) with an icon dimension of 32×32 pixels(see column 406). The example second row 422 also indicates that allsecondary icons are authorized for display (see column 408) with an icondimension of 16×16 pixels (see column 410). However, the example secondrow 422 indicates that no tertiary icons are authorized for display (seecolumn 412), but a link button 118 is authorized and/or otherwiserendered on the viewable portion of the spatially dynamic display 104for presentation to the user (see column 416). As described above, theexample link button 118 is rendered when one or more of the icons havebeen hidden from view due to their relatively lower priority value. Thelink button 118, when selected, causes the hidden icons (e.g.,relatively lower priority icons) to be displayed in lieu of the iconsauthorized by display based on the example table 400. In other words,when the example link button 118 is selected, any secondary and/ortertiary icons may be rendered on the example spatially dynamic display104.

If the example display size monitor 302 retrieves and/or otherwisereceives an indication that the example spatially dynamic display 104changes to an alternate extension length associated with a reduction ofboth the first reduction zone 110 and the second reduction zone 112,thereby leaving 3.2 inches of available viewing, then the example sourceimage comparator 304 is invoked by the display size monitor 302 todetermine corresponding display parameters. In the illustrated exampleof FIG. 4, the table includes a third row 424 having informationindicative of which icons are authorized for display and correspondingsizes for each authorized icon. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4,the third row 424 indicates that all icons having a primary priority areauthorized to be displayed (see column 404) with an icon dimension of32×32 pixels (see column 406). The example third row 424 also indicatesthat no secondary or tertiary icons are authorized for display (seecolumns 408 and 412, respectively), and that the link button 118 isauthorized for rendering (see column 416).

While an example manner of implementing the dynamic display size manager205 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, and 2-4, one or more of theelements, processes and/or devices illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C and 2-4 maybe combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/orimplemented in any other way. Further, the example display size monitor302, the example source image comparator 304, the example source imageadjuster 306, the example prioritizer 308, the example link generator310, the example configuration model settings storage 312, the exampleencoder 206, the example length marker sensor and/or, more generally,the example dynamic display size manager 205 of FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4 maybe implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or any combination ofhardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example, any of theexample display size monitor 302, the example source image comparator304, the example source image adjuster 306, the example prioritizer 308,the example link generator 310, the example configuration model settingsstorage 312, the example encoder 206, the example length marker sensorand/or, more generally, the example dynamic display size manager 205 ofFIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4 could be implemented by one or more analog ordigital circuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s),application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logicdevice(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)).When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent tocover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one ofthe example display size monitor 302, the example source imagecomparator 304, the example source image adjuster 306, the exampleprioritizer 308, the example link generator 310, the exampleconfiguration model settings storage 312, the example encoder 206, theexample length marker sensor and/or, more generally, the example dynamicdisplay size manager 205 of FIGS. 1A-1C and 2-4 is/are hereby expresslydefined to include a tangible computer readable storage device orstorage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compactdisk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.Further still, the example display size manager 205 of FIGS. 2 and 3 mayinclude one or more elements, processes and/or devices in addition to,or instead of, those illustrated in FIG. 3, and/or may include more thanone of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions forimplementing the dynamic display size manager 205 of FIGS. 2 and 3 isshown in FIG. 5. In this example, the machine readable instructionscomprise program(s) for execution by a processor such as the processor612 shown in the example processor platform 600 discussed below inconnection with FIG. 6. The program(s) may be embodied in softwarestored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM,a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-raydisk, or a memory associated with the processor 612, but the entireprogram(s) and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by adevice other than the processor 612 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware. Further, although the example program(s) is/aredescribed with reference to the flowcharts illustrated in FIG. 5, manyother methods of implementing the example dynamic display size manager205 may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution ofthe blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may bechanged, eliminated, or combined.

As mentioned above, the example process of FIG. 5 may be implementedusing coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readableinstructions) stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium suchas a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), acompact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, arandom-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device or storagedisk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extendedtime periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarilybuffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, theterm tangible computer readable storage medium is expressly defined toinclude any type of computer readable storage device and/or storage diskand to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. Asused herein, “tangible computer readable storage medium” and “tangiblemachine readable storage medium” are used interchangeably. Additionallyor alternatively, the example process of FIG. 5 may be implemented usingcoded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions)stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium suchas a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compactdisk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/orany other storage device or storage disk in which information is storedfor any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, forbrief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of theinformation). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readablemedium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readablestorage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signalsand to exclude transmission media. As used herein, when the phrase “atleast” is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, it isopen-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” is open ended.

The program 500 of FIG. 5 begins at block 502 where the example displaysize monitor 302 acquires an indication of an available display size ofthe example spatially dynamic display 104. As described above, anindication of the available display size that can be used (e.g., capableof being viewed by a user) may be determined by reading a rotary encodervalue and/or detecting particular portions of the dynamic display 104based on length markers 210 detected by the example length marker sensor208. In still other examples, an indication of the available displaysize that can be used is determined by reading the length markers 210 todetermine whether one or more fold portions (e.g., the first foldportion 252, the second fold portion 254, etc.) are either unfolded,partially folded, or completely folded. The acquired indication ofavailable size is provided to the example source image comparator 304,which queries the example configuration model settings storage 312 todetermine how the visual configuration of the example spatially dynamicdisplay 104 should be changed (block 504). As shown in the example table400 of FIG. 4, the indication of the available display size may beretrieved from the example display size monitor as an exposed lengthvalue (e.g., in centimeters, in millimeters, in inches, in pixels,etc.).

Based on the example source image comparator 304 identifying a matchbetween the retrieved indication of available display area and aconfiguration setting in the example model settings storage 312, theexample source image adjuster 306 sends one or more control signals tothe example video I/O module 204 of the computing device 202 with whichthe spatially dynamic display 104 is attached (block 506). If theexample display size monitor 302 does not identify an indication thatthe screen size has changed (block 508), then the example program 500 ofFIG. 5 waits for such an occurrence. When an indication of a screen sizechange occurs (block 508), control returns to block 502 to retrieve thecurrent available screen viewing area value.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 600 capableof executing the instructions of FIG. 5 to implement the dynamic displaysize manager 205 of FIGS. 2 and 3. The processor platform 600 can be,for example, a server, a personal computer, a mobile device (e.g., acell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad), a personal digitalassistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a DVD player, a CD player, adigital video recorder, a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, a personalvideo recorder, a set top box, or any other type of computing device.

The processor platform 600 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 612. The processor 612 of the illustrated example is hardware.For example, the processor 612 can be implemented by one or moreintegrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllers fromany desired family or manufacturer.

The processor 612 of the illustrated example includes a local memory 613(e.g., a cache). The processor 612 of the illustrated example is incommunication with a main memory including a volatile memory 614 and anon-volatile memory 616 via a bus 618. The volatile memory 614 may beimplemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM)and/or any other type of random access memory device. The non-volatilememory 616 may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desiredtype of memory device. Access to the main memory 614, 616 is controlledby a memory controller.

The processor platform 600 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 620. The interface circuit 620 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 622 are connectedto the interface circuit 620. The input device(s) 622 permit(s) a userto enter data and commands into the processor 612. The input device(s)can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, acamera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, atrack-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 624 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 620 of the illustrated example. The output devices 624 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen). The interfacecircuit 620 of the illustrated example, thus, typically includes agraphics driver card, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driverprocessor. As described above, the graphics driver card, the graphicsdriver chip, or the graphics driver processor may be realized in amanner consistent with the example video I/O module 204 described above.

The interface circuit 620 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data withexternal machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network626 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform 600 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 628 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 628 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAIDsystems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives.

The coded instructions 632 of FIG. 5 may be stored in the mass storagedevice 628, in the volatile memory 614, in the non-volatile memory 616,and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storage medium such asa CD or DVD.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above disclosedmethods, apparatus and articles of manufacture enable a dynamic viewingexperience for users of computing devices that have display technologiesthat change in size from time to time. Display technologies that changein size may retract into a storage compartment of a computing devicewhen not in use, and may be constructed of rigid sections that arefoldable, or may be constructed of a flexible display material. Duringinstances of extraction of the dynamic sized display technology,examples disclosed herein respond to the size changes (e.g., in realtime) by adjusting the visual configuration of remaining portions of thedisplay technology that are viewable to the user.

Examples may include subject matter such as a method, means forperforming acts of the method, at least one machine-readable mediumincluding instructions that, when performed by a machine, cause themachine to perform acts of the method, or of an apparatus or system tomanage a spatially dynamic display according to embodiments and examplesdescribed herein.

Example 1 is an apparatus to update a spatially adjustable display,comprising a display size monitor to acquire an indication of a size ofthe spatially adjustable display; a service image comparator to comparethe indication of the size to a size model, and a source image adjusterto invoke visual configuration adjustments to an output image of thespatially adjustable display based on parameters identified in the sizemodel. The display size monitor, the service image comparator and/or thesource image adjuster may each be integrated with a display size manageror as one or more separate devices.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includesan encoder to identify an angular position indicative of the size of thespatially adjustable display. Much like the example display sizemonitor, the example encoder may be integrated with one or more otherdevices or operate as a stand-alone device to identify the angularposition of interest.

Example 3 includes applying the encoder with a central storage axis,around which a non-visible portion of the spatially adjustable displayis stored.

Example 4 includes applying the source image adjuster to send one ormore instructions to disable output to the non-visible portion(s) of thespatially adjustable display.

Example 5 includes a length marker sensor to identify a position of thespatially adjustable display. The example length marker sensor mayoperate in conjunction with the display size manager, or may beimplemented with any of the above examples as a separate device toidentify the position of the spatially adjustable display.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of example 5, and furtherindicates a visible portion of the spatially adjustable display andindicates a non-visible portion of the spatially adjustable display.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of example 5, and further includesa plurality of length markers attached to and/or otherwise embeddedwithin the spatially adjustable display in any number of locations alonga viewing portion(s) of the spatially adjustable display.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of examples 2 or 5, and alsoincludes identifying a portion of the spatially adjustable display thatis not visible to a user and/or one or more portion(s) of the spatiallyadjustable display that are available for viewing by the user.Additionally or alternatively, example 8 may include the subject matterof examples 2 or 5, and include disabling a portion of the spatiallyadjustable display that is not visible to a user.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of example 1, and further includesa prioritizer to identify a display priority of any number of icons tobe rendered on the spatially adjustable display. The prioritizer mayoperate as a sub-component of the example dynamic display size manager,or may operate as a stand-alone device in conjunction with any of thedevices disclosed hereinabove.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of example 9, and furtherincludes a link generator to render a link button on the spatiallyadjustable display when one or more of the plurality of icons are hiddenfrom view due to the display priority. The link generator may be adevice integrated with any of the above disclosed devices, or operate asa separate entity to render the link button.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of example 1, and furtherincludes size information of the spatially adjustable display comprisingat least one or a length value or an area value.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of example 1, and furtherincludes the spatially adjustable display having a flexible displaysurface, and example 13 further includes storing the flexible displaysurface in a coil orientation.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of example 13, and furtherincludes a first portion of the flexible display being hidden and/orotherwise removed from viewing by the user, while a second portion ofthe flexible display is uncoiled and visible to the user.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of example 1, and furtherincludes the spatially adjustable display having at least one foldportion, and example 16 further includes a foldable display surface.

Example 17 includes subject matter from any of the aforementionedexamples, and further includes a length marker sensor to identify anavailable display area of the spatially adjustable display, and example18 includes any of the above-disclosed examples further comprisingapplying an icon size to the plurality of icons that is based on alength value or an area value.

Example 19 is a method for updating a spatially adjustable display toperform any of the aforementioned examples 1-18.

Example 20 is a system for updating a spatially adjustable display, andoptionally includes means for performing any of the aforementionedexamples 1-18.

Example 21 is at least one computer readable storage medium havinginstructions stored thereon that, when executed on a machine, cause themachine to perform any of the aforementioned examples 1-18.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a length markercarried by a rollable display screen, the length marker one of aplurality of length markers carried by the rollable display screen; asensor to sense a length of an unrolled portion of the rollable displayscreen based on the length marker; memory including executableinstructions; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to:display a set of icons on the unrolled portion of the rollable displayscreen; and in response to a reduction in size of the unrolled portionof the rollable display screen, increase a size of first ones of the setof icons corresponding to first priority values, and decrease a size ofsecond ones of the set of icons corresponding to second priority values,the first priority values greater than the second priority values, theunrolled portion of the rollable display screen including (a) resizedversions of the first ones of the set of icons and (b) resized versionsof the second ones of the set of icons.
 2. The electronic device asdefined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of length markers are locatedat equally spaced positions along the rollable display screen.
 3. Theelectronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor circuitryis to increase the size of the second ones of the set of icons when thesize of the unrolled portion of the rollable display screen increases.4. The electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein the processorcircuitry is to remove the second ones of the set of icons when the sizeof the unrolled portion of the rollable display screen decreases.
 5. Astorage device comprising instructions that, when executed, causeprocessor circuitry to, at least: sense a length of an unrolled portionof a rollable display screen based on a length marker, the length markerone of a plurality of length markers carried by the rollable displayscreen; display a set of icons on the unrolled portion of the rollabledisplay screen; in response to a reduction in size of the unrolledportion of the rollable display screen, increase a size of first ones ofthe set of icons corresponding to first priority values and decrease asize of second ones of the set of icons corresponding to second priorityvalues, the first priority values greater than the second priorityvalues, the unrolled portion of the rollable display screen including(a) resized versions of the first ones of the set of icons and (b)resized versions of the second ones of the set of icons.
 6. The storagedevice as defined in claim 5, wherein the instructions, when executed,cause the processor circuitry to sense the length of the unrolledportion of the rollable display screen based on the plurality of lengthmarkers being located at equally spaced positions along the rollabledisplay screen.
 7. The storage device as defined in claim 5, wherein theinstructions, when executed, cause the processor circuitry to increasethe size of the second ones of the set of icons when the size of theunrolled portion of the rollable display screen increases.
 8. Thestorage device as defined in claim 5, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, cause the processor circuitry to remove the second ones of theset of icons when the size of the unrolled portion of the rollabledisplay screen decreases.
 9. A method comprising: sensing, by executingan instruction with at least one processor, a length of an unrolledportion of a rollable display screen based on a length marker, thelength marker one of a plurality of length markers carried by therollable display screen; displaying, by executing an instruction withthe at least one processor, a set of icons on the unrolled portion ofthe rollable display screen; in response to a reduction in size of theunrolled portion of the rollable display screen: increasing a size offirst ones of the set of icons corresponding to first priority values;and decreasing a size of second ones of the set of icons correspondingto second priority values, the first priority values greater than thesecond priority values, the unrolled portion of the rollable displayscreen including (a) resized versions of the first ones of the set oficons and (b) resized versions of the second ones of the set of icons.10. The method as defined in claim 9, further including sensing thelength of the unrolled portion of the rollable display screen based onthe plurality of length markers being located at equally spacedpositions along the rollable display screen.
 11. The method as definedin claim 9, further including increasing the size of the second ones ofthe set of icons when the area of the unrolled portion of the rollabledisplay screen increases.
 12. The method as defined in claim 9, furtherincluding removing the second ones of the set of icons when the size ofthe unrolled portion of the rollable display screen decreases.